Hulkenberg 'bitter' after spin causes early exit

Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg concedes he was left with a "bitter feeling" after he was eliminated from the second knockout session during qualifying for the European Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg had been towards the sharp end of the grid throughout practice but spun exiting Turn 16 on his first lap in Q2 and was unable to clock a sufficiently quick time later in the session, leaving him in 12th position.

Hulkenberg's woes were accentuated by the pace of team-mate Sergio Perez, who recorded the second quickest time in Q3.

"A very disappointing qualifying session for me," said Hulkenberg.

"The car has been quick this weekend, but starting from P12 means we’ve got a big job on our hands tomorrow.

"The main problem in Q2 was spinning on my first run because I was on a mega lap that would have easily put me through to Q3. I just lost the rear at Turn 16 and spun.

"Because I had not set a time yet, it meant I was under pressure and it all came down to the final few minutes.

"Unfortunately I had some traffic on my second run and I just didn’t feel the same grip with the car – and that’s how quickly things can slip away from you.

"It’s very frustrating and annoying because the car has good potential and we should have been much higher up. So it’s a bitter feeling, to be honest, but I’m determined to make up the lost ground tomorrow."